"The idea behind GPS is to provide counsel to companies and institutions at the highest levels as they globalize their activities around the world. We are very excited to have Gov. Richardson assume the Chairmanship of this group of former senior government officials from around the world," said Kraus.

"Gov. Richardson has a unique combination of local, state, Congressional, executive branch and foreign policy experience gained through the high-level diplomatic and political posts he has held throughout his career.

"Given his strong leadership qualities and his extraordinary achievements in government and business, and his global knowledge and experience, we know he's the right person to head this high-caliber group."

Richardson's career has spanned public service, academia and the private sector. He completed his second term as governor of New Mexico in 2010, having been elected to office in 2002. Prior to his election as governor, he served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy and also as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, where he handled sensitive Congo transition negotiations and dealt first hand with the Iraq weapons of mass destruction issue in the UN Security Council. For 15 years earlier in his career, he represented northern New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. While a congressman, Richardson served as a special envoy on many sensitive international missions. He successfully won the release of hostages, American servicemen and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba and Sudan.

Since 2006 he has been the Special Envoy for Hemispheric Affairs for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States helping to help promote issues of importance to the region, such as immigration and free trade, and work to strengthen relations between countries. As an Hispanic American who governed a border state with Mexico, Gov. Richardson has a deep understanding of the political, social and economic complexities of Latin America.

In 2001, Richardson assumed the chairmanship of Freedom House, a private, non-partisan organization that promotes democracy worldwide. He also served on several boards including the Natural Resource Defense Council and United Way International. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

"I am very pleased to be affiliated with APCO Worldwide through my new role as GPS chairman, and I look forward to working with colleagues and clients old and new," said Richardson. "In today's evolving world, business success increasingly depends on understanding the global forces affecting economies and cultures, and the GPS team presents an unparalleled resource to companies and institutions who seek to understand how to better navigate their futures."

Mark Medish, former senior director of the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Robert Rubin and Larry Summers recently joined APCO as an executive vice president and will serve as GPS's managing director.

Other GPS members include Carlos Gutierrez, vice chairman with Citigroup, Inc., former secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Kellogg Company; John Kufuor, former president of Ghana and former chairperson of the African Union; Aleksander Kwasniewski, former president of Poland; Jonathan Hutton, former U.K. secretary of state for defence and former U.K. secretary of state for business; Lalit Mansingh, former Indian foreign secretary and former Indian ambassador to the United States and the United Arab Emirates; Eugene K. Lawson, former head of the U.S.-Russia Business Council; Kenneth Jarrett; former U.S. consul general in Shanghai; Klaus Naumann, former chairman of the NATO Military Committee and former chief of staff of the German armed forces; and Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff to Laura Bush; A full list of members is located at www.globalpoliticalstrategies.com

Governor Richardson will also continue his speech making activities and plans to serve on some nonprofit and for profit boards. The Governor will keep his home base in New Mexico but will also have an office in Washington DC at the APCO headquarters.

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune's Global 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.

About Global Political Strategies

Global Political Strategies (GPS) comprises a global group of experienced former officials who counsel boards of directors and C-suite members to help them more effectively understand and find solutions to business opportunities and challenges in today’s complex and changing world. Drawing on APCO Worldwide’s local and global resources, GPS assists clients to better develop their corporate strategy and tactics, achieve successful market entry and establishment, assess political risk, and identify and meet the policy, regulatory, investment, legal and communication challenges they face.